The '''Chieftains of the Dúnedain''' were the hereditary rulers of the [[Rangers of the North]]. They were descendents of [[Isildur]] through the kings of [[Arthedain]] and [[Anárion]] through [[Fíriel]]; as such they regarded themselves as the legitimate heirs to both [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]].

+

The '''Chieftains of the Dúnedain''' were the hereditary rulers of the [[Rangers of the North]].

−

The title was created following the final destruction of [[Arthedain]] by the [[Witch-king of Angmar]]. The heir to the throne of Arthedain, [[Aranarth]] son of [[Arvedui]], chose not to claim the kingship and instead ruled the remnants of his people as Chieftain. His descendent, [[Aragorn II]], became the last Chieften when he reclaimed the title of [[High King|High King of the Reunited Kingdom]].

+

The title was created following the final destruction of [[Arthedain]] in {{TA|1974}} by the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]]. The heir to the throne of Arthedain, [[Aranarth]] son of [[Arvedui]], in {{TA|1976}} chose not to claim the kingship and instead ruled the remnants of his people as Chieftain.<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref>

−

The Chieftains of the Dúnedain were:

+

They were descendants of [[Isildur]] through the kings of [[Arthedain]]<ref>{{App|Eriador}}</ref> and [[Anárion]] through [[Fíriel]];<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref> as such they regarded themselves as the legitimate heirs to both [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]]. The Chieftains were raised in [[Rivendell]], where the heirlooms of the [[House of Isildur]], were also kept.

−

# [[Aranarth]], [[Third Age 1975|T.A. 1975]]&ndash;[[Third Age 2106|2106]], son of [[King of Arthedain|King]] [[Arvedui]] of [[Arthedain]].

+

It is notable that most of the Chieftains lived out their full life-span and their longevity did not decrease as much as that of the [[Gondorians]].<ref>[[Robert Foster]] ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'', p. 69</ref>